The AG2R-La Mondiale rider was caught up in the crash along with David Millar (Garmin-Barracuda), who broke his collarbone in the incident, Jens Mouris (GreenEdge), Koen De Kort (Project 1t4i) and Jan Ghyselinck (Cofidis).

The 38-year-old Hinault also suffered scrapes and bruises on both knees, needed stitches in his shin and injured his shoulder.